Give a Shout Out

Makes

Thing Statistics

Summary

In this project, students will learn and apply basic programming skills with the OpenSCAD language to style and customize a nametag. Visually, OpenSCAD is different from other types of 3D modeling programs. It’s a simple declarative computer language that was built specifically for designing 3D printable models. By modifying existing OpenSCAD code for a wavy nametag, students will explore parameters, dimensions, “for” loops, translations, and boolean operations.

Standards

Overview and Background

Students will learn how to write basic code to generate objects with the OpenSCAD language. Once comfortable, they’ll explore a sample coding project that prompts them to discover how changing different variables affects their 3D model. Finally, they’ll add their own unique variables and functions to further customize a nametag.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.7: Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., quantitative data, video, multimedia) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSF.IF.C.7
Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by hand in simple cases and using technology for more complicated cases.

Lesson Plan and Activity

The entire lesson is laid out with pictures in the .PDF downloadable in the Thing Files.

Step 1: Making a Parametric nametag with existing code

Try to figure out what the code is doing

Modify text and font parameters

Adjust dimensions to match the text

Style the wave of the nametag border

Create a new parameter for the text height

Create a new parameter for character spacing

Output an STL mesh for 3D printing

Step 2: Write OpenSCAD code from scratch to design a model

Plan, Think, and Code

Try new things

Export, print, test, repeat

Skills Learned

Code

Translation

openscad

modifying parameters

measuring

basic code

writing code

Duration of Lesson

1-2 class periods - Print time: 20-35 minutes per nametag

Preparation

To prepare for this lesson you will need the following supplies:

Chromebook or computer per student

Openscad.org or openscad.net open or installed

openscad_project.pdf handout (in Thing Files)

MakerBot_NametagCode_Project.scad downloaded (in Thing Files)

Rubric and Assessment

Knowledge Checks

What are the benefits of a parametric design?

How do you generate basic shapes with code?

Why is it important to use variables in OpenSCAD code?

What are examples of parameters you might change when designing an object?

What do you need to change or add to your OpenSCAD file to allow it to be used in Customizer?

Explore the trigonometry used in the nametag

In particular, what does each of the components of this function do to change the shape of the wave? Consider amplitude, frequency, and transformations. What would happen if the cosine function were replaced with the sine function? What other functions would make good nametag borders?

Change and consider what amplitude, frequency, and transformations are doing.

Try changing the cosine function to sine. What happens?

Explore other functions that could affect the border.

Explore Riemann Sums

The wave shape on the border of the nametag design is actually a simple Riemann sum approximation of the area under the graph of the function f(x) on an interval. Here’s the code that produces the steps of the wave.

Look at a small number of steps to get an idea of what is happening. What type of Riemann sum is being constructed?

Something subtle is happening with the steps-1 part of the function definition. Why is that part of the code here and what does it do for the design? Replace steps-1 with a value (try 4, 8, etc.) and note what happens. What does it mean about the interval being used for the Riemann sum?

You can also make name tags using BlocksCAD. The BlocksCAD block interface creates an OpenSCAD file for printing, but the user interface is much friendlier. The text functions let you insert any text you want in a variety of different fonts. BlocksCAD is a great way to introduce programming for younger students who might not be as adept at OpenSCAD formatting. https://www.blockscad3d.com/community/projects/30243

Official BlocksCAD account here-- We're glad you have been hearing great things from teachers. We have a lot of projects on our website and would love to open a dialogue with MakerBot about projects and student and teacher needs! For more information, check out our website: https://www.blockscad3d.com/

Every project I have posted on thingiverse has been made with BlocksCAD so feel free to check out my profile! For even more ideas, check out the BlocksCAD community page and gallery at https://www.blockscad3d.com/community

Show Some Love

We're sure MakerBotLearning would love to see what you've printed. Please document your print and share a Make with the community.

To post a Make simply visit this Thing again and click I Made One to start uploading your photo. It’s even easier to post a Make via the Thingiverse Mobile app (available via Google Play and Apple App Store).

Show Some Love - Tip MakerBotLearning

Let Them Know

Message sent!

We're sure MakerBotLearning would love a Tip, but unfortunately they
have not setup their accounts to receive them yet.

We can let them know you were interested. Simply click the button below
and we'll pass along a note to them.